Administrative, Licensing & Permits
The licenses and permits that allow a hospitality business to operate can also be suspended, conditioned, or revoked when violations occur. I assist clients in obtaining the approvals they need and navigating the complex licensing process.
Key areas of licensing support include:
- Liquor license applications, renewals, transfers, and SLA enforcement defense
- Cabaret license applications and hearings
- Sidewalk café and outdoor dining permits
How do I get a liquor license for a new restaurant in New York?
New York liquor licenses are issued by the State Liquor Authority (SLA). The application process typically takes 90–120 days from submission and involves: a completed application disclosing all ownership interests; notice to the community board and neighboring property owners; a 30-day community comment period; review of the applicants’ criminal history; a premises inspection; and SLA board review and approval.
Common reasons for delay or denial: incomplete disclosure of ownership interests; criminal history of a principal; proximity to a school or house of worship within 200 feet; community board opposition; and premises that don’t meet certificate of occupancy requirements for the proposed use. Engaging an attorney familiar with the SLA process — particularly one with relationships in the relevant community board district — significantly reduces timeline and denial risk.
What happens if my restaurant’s liquor license is suspended or revoked?
A suspension or revocation proceeding before the SLA is a formal administrative proceeding with serious consequences. Grounds include: sales to minors; sales to visibly intoxicated persons; violations of license conditions; failure to maintain a bona fide restaurant; and Penal Law violations on the premises.
When the SLA initiates charges, the licensee has the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge, who issues a recommended determination that the SLA board then reviews. Penalties range from fines to suspension to revocation. A revocation means the premises cannot be relicensed for a period of time, effectively ending the business. The SLA’s charging documents frequently contain factual inaccuracies or legal weaknesses that, challenged properly, result in reduced penalties. Early engagement of counsel also creates the opportunity to negotiate consent orders with conditions — rather than outright suspensions — that keep the business operating.